Prateek was rushed to Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Civil Hospital around 5.30 am, where doctors declared him “brought dead”. While the exact cause of his death is yet to be officially confirmed, his body has been sent for postmortem examination.
Sources said Prateek collapsed at his house around 4.30 am, following which family members rushed him to the hospital.
They said his wife, Aparna Yadav, was not at the family’s house when the incident took place. She is reportedly on her way to Lucknow and is expected to reach the postmortem house soon, where Akhilesh Yadav and Aparna’s brother have already arrived.
Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav said he met Prateek a couple of months ago and advised him to take care of his health and focus on his business.
“Kabhi kabhi financial, karobar mein jo nuksaan hota hai, usase kayi baar log dukhi ho jate hain (Sometimes financial and business losses leave people deeply distressed,” Akhilesh said.
Neither the Lucknow police nor doctors have yet issued an official statement on the cause of death, adding to the mystery surrounding the sudden death of Prateek Yadav.
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) put a protest by its women workers on hold after Prateek Yadav’s sudden death.
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“On the instructions of BJP State President and Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, the protest demonstrations scheduled to be held at the district level by women party workers on Wednesday, May 13, have been postponed following the untimely demise of Mr Prateek Yadav, husband of BJP leader and State Women’s Commission Vice-Chairperson Aparna Yadav,” the party’s state unit said.
Fitness enthusiast, sports car lover
Known in political circles as “Netaji ka chhota beta”, Prateek Yadav stayed away from active politics, unlike his half-brother and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. Instead, he had built an image around fitness and a relatively private lifestyle. He also ran a gym in Lucknow.
He was also widely known among close circles for his passion for sports cars and dogs.
“The demise of Shri Prateek Yadav ji is extremely heartbreaking! May God grant peace to the departed soul. Humble tribute!” Akhilesh said in a post on X.
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He is survived by his wife Aparna Yadav, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and member of the Uttar Pradesh State Women Commission, and their two daughters.
Prateek had recently come into public focus after posting messages on social media hinting at differences with Aparna Yadav. The development had triggered intense speculation in political and social circles. However, the couple later shared family pictures and videos with their daughters, signalling reconciliation.
He often shared videos of his Formula One-style driving and flights in an EA300, a two-seat aerobatic aircraft. His drives through Lucknow in a blue Lamborghini had once become a topic of conversation in the city.
Prateek’s last public appearance was at a wedding ceremony in Saifai, where he was seen with his wife, Aparna Yadav, and their daughters, taking blessings from Akhilesh Yadav.
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In November last year, Prateek had reportedly been hospitalised, though details regarding his medical condition were never made public.
His death comes nearly four years after the demise of his mother, Sadhana Gupta, in 2022.
Following the news of Prateek’s death, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and his wife, MP Dimple Yadav, cancelled all their political and public engagements scheduled for the day.
The sudden death of a relatively low-profile yet well-known member of the Yadav family has triggered widespread curiosity and speculation across Uttar Pradesh, with many awaiting the postmortem report for answers.
